Woods Wire Products, Inc. Recalls Remote Control Receivers

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Woods Wire Products, Inc., Carmel, IN today announced the voluntary recall of 6,000 Woods brand No. 1468 remote control receivers sold in 1991. Woods reported that some of the remote control receivers may have an internal wiring problem, and that the product could short circuit and present a fire hazard.

No incidents of fire or injury have been reported. However, Woods urges owners to return their receivers to have them checked for the defect and replaced if needed. Since it is not known which units are potentially hazardous, the company warns owners not to use their units, even if they currently operate properly.

The Woods remote control receiver plugs into an electrical receptacle and is used with a remote hand-held transmitter to operate home electrical devices such as lamps or Christmas tree lights, from a distance. The product was sold by a variety of retailers for about $10 - $15, from January 1991 through October 1991.

Recalled receivers have back labels that read, in part, "III Woods No. 1468, UL Listed Appliance Control 19U4, CHK'D 91." The product carton is labeled "III Woods Transmitter and Receiver, Christmas Tree Light Control Kit, No. 1467T."

Recalled remote control receivers should be returned directly to: Woods Wire Products, Inc., P.O. Box 2675, Carmel, IN 46032-6675. Each receiver will be inspected, replaced if needed, and promptly returned to the consumer. Woods will reimburse owners for shipping costs. The remote control transmitters are not defective and need not be returned to the company. Owners who have questions may call the Woods toll-free Helpline at 1-800-447-4364.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from the unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.